Book Publishing: Principles of Book Commissioning, Editing and Design
| Module title | Book Publishing: Principles of Book Commissioning, Editing and Design |
|---|---|
| Module code | HUM3016 |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Richard Willis (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 22 |
|---|
Module description
This module will teach you the fundamental techniques of book commissioning, editing and design that are essential to know in order for you to pursue a career in the modern publishing industry. We will cover the essential key skills of commissioning individual books and lists, development editing, copy-editing and proofreading as well as the techniques of book text and cover/jacket design. The module will address a variety of publishing genres in fiction and non-fiction. A central element of the module is the creation by you of a portfolio of edited and designed work that can be used in future job and internship applications.
Module aims - intentions of the module
To equip you with a thorough knowledge of how books are commissioned, edited and designed. This understanding is essential to a career in publishing whatever the role or sector. You will be taught essential editorial skills via lectures, seminars and practical exercises. You will also learn the principles of book text and cover/jacket design and produce a portfolio of work comprising an edited and designed book from an unpublished author. At the end of the module you will have a suite of editorial skills and a portfolio of work that will enhance your employability in publishing and other media industries.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Show understanding of the commissioning process and complete a development edit, copy-edit and proofread of a fiction or non-fiction book
- 2. Show understanding of how the text and cover/jacket of a fiction or non-fiction book is designed
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Demonstrate the ability to speak confidently about how a book is edited and designed in an interview or with other publishing professionals
- 4. Show understanding of the techniques and materials used in book production and printing
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Apply editing and design skills in a first job or internship role
- 6. Use principles of editing and design in related media careers
Syllabus plan
While the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:
Editorial skills through seminars and practical exercises:
- Commissioning individual books and lists
- Development editing
- Copy-editing
- Proofreading
Book design through seminars and practical exercises:
- Principles of text design
- Principles of cover and jacket design
- Knowledge of text and cover/jacket design briefs
- Different printing techniques (including visits to local printers)
- Use of paper and different materials in printing
Book portfolio project:
- Commissioning and completing the development editing, copy-editing and proofreading of a sample chapter from an unpublished novel or non-fiction book
- Completing a text and cover/jacket design for the same unpublished novel or non-fiction book
- Presentation of the edited text and cover/jacket design in a portfolio form both digitally and in hard copy for assessment and use in future job/internship applications
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | 276 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 22 | Seminars and tutorials |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 2 | Portfolio project supervision |
| Guided Independent Study | 276 | Completion editorial and design portfolio project |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio project | 75 | 15-20 pages | 1-6 | Feedback sheet with tutorial follow up |
| Essay | 25 | 2000 words | 1,2,4 | Feedback sheet with tutorial follow up |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio project | Portfolio project | 1-6 | Referral/deferral period |
| Essay | Essay | 1,2,4 | Referral/deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Clark, Giles and Phillips, Angus (2019) Inside Book Publishing (Routledge)
- Davies, G. (2004) Book Commissioning and Acquisition (Routledge)
- Bullock, Adrian (2012) Book Production (Routledge)
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 13/02/2020 |
| Last revision date | 07/10/2022 |
